Broadcast receiver

ABSTRACT

A broadcast receiver has a GPS reception section for clocking, a TV tuner for receiving a broadcast wave of TV broadcast, and a display for displaying video information of a program transmitted by a broadcast wave, and displays video information of a plurality of programs received on a single screen of the display at the same time every hour on the hour. Accordingly, the user (viewer) can check the program contents of channels that can be received at the time of day.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No.10/456,557 filed Jun. 9, 2003, which is based on and claims prioritywith respect to Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-230702 filed onAug. 8, 2002, the entire content of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a broadcast receiver for displaying videoinformation of a program transmitted by broadcast waves.

2. Description of the Related Art

A broadcast system, represented by a television broadcast system, madeup of a broadcast station for transmitting video information and audioinformation for each program by broadcast waves of ground waves orsatellite waves and a terminal receiver for receiving the broadcastwaves through an antenna, thereby demodulating the transmitted videoinformation and audio information and producing display output and audiooutput is extremely known at present.

In such a broadcast system, often the contents of the broadcast programstransmitted by the broadcast station are switched on the hour (0:00,1:00, etc.).

However, in recent years, the trends of multichannels and multiprogramshave been going to move and the number of broadcast programs at the sametime of day is extremely large. Thus, it is almost impossible for theviewer to keep all broadcast programs in mind. Thus, if the viewer doesnot keep a program guide introducing programs on hand, the viewer needsto switch the programs (channels) displayed on the screen in order onhis or her own to check what programs are broadcast at the time of day;it is a burdensome procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to eliminate the inconvenience ofrequiring such a burdensome procedure.

To the end, according to the invention as claimed in claim 1, there isprovided a broadcast receiver comprising clock means for clocking,reception means for receiving a broadcast wave, and display means fordisplaying video information of a program transmitted by a broadcastwave, characterized in that video information of a plurality of programsreceived is displayed on a single screen of the display means at thesame time at a predetermined time of day.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will becomemore fully apparent from the following detailed description taken withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram to show an embodiment of a broadcast receiveraccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram according to an example of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart according to the example of the invention; and

FIGS. 4A to 4D are drawings to show display examples according to theexample of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a preferredembodiment of a broadcast receiver according to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram to show an embodiment of a broadcast receiveraccording to the invention. In the figure, numeral 1 denotes clock meansfor clocking and outputting the time-of-day information. Numeral 2denotes reception means for receiving broadcast waves transmitted from abroadcast station through an antenna. The reception means 2 has ademodulation section for demodulating various pieces of informationcontained in the received broadcast waves, such as video information andaudio information, and outputs various pieces of informationdemodulated. Numeral 3 denotes display means for processing the videoinformation demodulated by the reception means 2 and displaying thevideo information so that the viewer can see the video information.Numeral 4 denotes audio output means for outputting the audioinformation demodulated by the reception means 2. Numeral 5 denotescontrol means for inputting the time-of-day information from the clockmeans 1 and outputting control signals for controlling the means to themeans.

The operation of the broadcast receiver made up of the means is asfollows: The control means 5 receives the time-of-day information outputfrom the clock means 1 and determines whether or not the time-of-dayinformation indicates a predetermined time of day. The predeterminedtime of day is, for example, every hour on the hour, such as 7:00 or8:00.

When the control means 5 detects the time of day reaching thepredetermined time of day based on the input time-of-day information,the control means 5 starts reception control of broadcast waves by thereception means 2, display control of the display means 3, and audiooutput control of the audio output means 4. As control of the receptionmeans 2, a plurality of broadcast waves are received in order. Videoinformation and audio information of each of programs transmitted by thebroadcast waves are demodulated and are output to the display means 3and the audio output means 4 respectively.

The display means 3 displays the demodulated video information of theprograms in order on the same screen of the display means 3. The audiooutput means 4 outputs the demodulated audio information insynchronization with the display timing of each program.

According to the described configuration, when the predetermined time ofday is reached, the broadcast receiver according to the inventiondisplays the video information of a plurality programs that can beviewed at the time of day at the same time on the screen of the displaymeans 3. Therefore, the viewer can immediately keep track of whatprograms are broadcast and can be viewed at the point in time withoutholding a program guide or the like.

EXAMPLE

A more specific example of the embodiment will be discussed withreference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram to show the example. FIG. 3 is a flowchart toshow the operation of the example. FIGS. 4A to 4D are drawings to showdisplay examples.

In FIG. 2, numeral 11 denotes a GPS reception section functioning asclock means. The GPS reception section 11 is a known GPS receptionsection made up of a GPS antenna for receiving a GPS signal transmittedfrom a GPS satellite, a GPS signal decoder for demodulating the receivedGPS signal, and the like. The GPS signal received at the GPS receptionsection 11 contains time-of-day information. Therefore, the GPSreception section 11 can function as clock means for clocking theprecise current time of day using the time-of-day information.

Numeral 21 denotes a TV tuner as reception means for receiving broadcastwaves. When the viewer selects a channel through an operation section61, the TV tuner 21 sets the reception frequency to the selected channelfrequency to receive broadcast waves and demodulates various pieces ofinformation such as video information and audio information from thereceived broadcast waves. When the reception frequencies are switched inorder under the control of a CPU 51, the TV tuner 21 receives thebroadcast waves of a plurality of channel frequencies in response to theswitching control and demodulates various pieces of information such asvideo information and audio information in a similar manner to thatdescribed above.

Numeral 31 denotes a video information processing section for processingthe video information input from the TV tuner 21 and outputting thevideo information to a display 32 under the control of the CPU 51. Thevideo information processing section 31 and the display 32 function asdisplay means. The video information processing section 31 comprises aknown multiscreen preparation circuit for laying out and displayingdisplay information of a plurality of programs input from the TV tuner21 on the display 32. The multiscreen preparation circuit forms adisplay frame consisting of a plurality of display areas to display thedisplay information of a plurality of programs separately, as shown inFIG. 4B. Further, the display information of each of the programs inputfrom the TV tuner 21 is displayed in each display area, as shown inFIGS. 4C and 4D.

Numeral 41 denotes an audio information processing section for makingadjustment so that output of the audio information input from the TVtuner 21 to a loudspeaker 42 is synchronized with display of the videoinformation of the program on the display 32 and muting after theexpiration of a predetermined time from the display completion of thevideo information of the received program under the control of the CPU51. The audio information processing section 41 and the loudspeaker 42function as audio output means.

Next, the operation control in the example will be discussed based onthe flowchart of FIG. 3 and the display examples of the display 32 shownin FIG. 4.

If the broadcast receiver shown in the example is adopted as an integralunit with an in-car navigation system, a map is displayed on the displayas shown in FIG. 4A in the normal use mode. At this time, the GPSreception section 11 as the clock means described early also serves ascurrent position measurement means for measuring the current position ofthe vehicle.

To begin with, when the broadcast receiver starts to operate, the CPU 51inputs time-of-day information output by the GPS reception section 11(step S1). The CPU 51 determines whether or not the current time is onthe hour based on the input time-of-day information (step S2). If theCPU 51 determines that the current time is not on the hour (No at stepS2), the CPU 51 returns to step S1 and repeats processing untildetermining that the current time is on the hour (Yes at step S2).Meanwhile, the screen of the display is not changed and display of themap is continued.

If the CPU 51 determines that the current time is on the hour (Yes atstep S2), the CPU 51 controls the video information processing section31 first for erasing the displayed map. Subsequently, the CPU 51 forms adisplay frame by the multiscreen preparation circuit in the videoinformation processing section 31 as shown in FIG. 4B and outputs thedisplay frame to the display 32 (step S3).

Subsequently, the CPU 51 controls the TV tuner 21 first for setting thereception frequency to the frequency of the channel to be first received(step S4). Further, the CPU 51 controls the video information processingsection 31 for determining and setting the display area position forfirst displaying video information in the display frame prepared by themultiscreen preparation circuit (step S5). In the example, theupper-left display area in the display frame shown in FIG. 4B is thefirst display position.

Next, the video information processing section 31 prepares a stillpicture from the display information of the program demodulated from thetransmission wave of the frequency set at step S4 by the TV tuner 21(step S6). The video information processing section 31 displays thestill picture in the display area set at step S5 as shown in FIG. 4C(step S7). At the display timing of the still picture, audio informationof the program is output from the loudspeaker 42.

Next, the CPU 51 determines whether or not still pictures are displayedin all display areas of the display frame prepared by the multiscreenpreparation circuit (step S8). If the CPU 51 determines that stillpictures are not displayed in all display areas (No at step S8), the CPU51 goes to step S9 and determines and sets the display area position todisplay video information of the program on the channel to be nextreceived (step S9). In the example, the upper-center display area in thedisplay frame shown in FIG. 4B is set as the second display position.

The CPU 51 controls the TV tuner 21 for setting the frequencycorresponding to the channel to be next received as the receptionfrequency (step S10) and the video information processing section 31again prepares a still picture from the display information demodulatedfrom the transmission wave of the frequency (step S6) and displays thestill picture at the upper-center display area position set at step S9as shown in FIG. 4D (step S7). At the display timing of the stillpicture, audio information of the program is output from the loudspeaker42 as described early.

Steps S6 to S10 are repeated until it is determined at step S8 thatstill pictures are displayed in all display areas of the display frameprepared by the multiscreen preparation circuit. As a result, the stillpictures of the programs are displayed on the display 32 at the sametime in all display areas of the display frame prepared by themultiscreen preparation circuit, and at the display timing of each stillpicture, audio information of the corresponding program is output fromthe loudspeaker 42.

If it is determined at step S8 that still pictures are displayed in alldisplay areas of the display frame prepared by the multiscreenpreparation circuit (Yes at step S8), whether or not a predeterminedtime has elapsed since the completion of displaying the still picturesin all display areas of the display frame is determined (step S11).Here, the determination is repeated until the predetermined time haselapsed.

If it is determined at step S11 that the predetermined time has elapsed(Yes), the display frame and the sill images are erased and the displaycontents are restored to the initial display contents, namely, the mapdisplay in the example (step S12) and again the process is repeatedstarting at step S1.

What rule the channel to be first received, set at step S4 and thechannel to be next received, set at step S10 are to be determinedaccording to is an arbitrary determination item when the example of theinvention is embodied. As an example of the rule, the following ispossible: The channel to be first received, set at step S4 is set to thechannel assigned the smallest channel number among the channels that canbe received in the region using the broadcast receiver and the channelto be next received, set at step S10 is set to the channel assigned thesecond smallest channel number and later the channel number is increasedgradually among the channels that can be received in the region usingthe broadcast receiver.

The number of the display frames each consisting of a plurality ofdisplay areas prepared by the multiscreen preparation circuit and thesize of each display frame are also arbitrary determination items whenthe example of the invention is embodied.

Further, in the example, the predetermined time of day at which displayof multiscreen is started is every hour on the hour, but the inventionis not limited to the time of day. For example, the time of day at whicha plurality of programs are started is determined based on program guideinformation (known EPG (electronic program guide) technique) multiplexedand contained in broadcast waves and is adopted as the predeterminedtime of day and the channels of the started programs are received insequence, whereby the viewer can check the started program contents fromthe beginning of each program.

The predetermined time of day is every hour on the hour, so that theviewer can check the program contents every hour on the hour. The viewermay previously store any desired time of day in the broadcast receiverfor adopting the desired time of day as the predetermined time of day.

In the example, the GPS reception section 11 capable of preciselyclocking is adopted as the clock means, but the invention is not limitedto the mode. The broadcast receiver may contain its own clock that canbe calibrated by the GPS reception section 11, needless to say.

The video information displayed on the display 32 at the multiscreendisplay time provides still pictures. However, for example, a pluralityof TV tuners 21 can also be provided so that the video informationdisplayed on the display 32 at the multiscreen display time providesmoving pictures.

As described above, in the example of the broadcast receiver accordingto the invention, the broadcast receiver comprises the GPS receptionsection 11 for clocking, the TV tuner 21 for receiving broadcast waves,and the display 32 for displaying video information of a programtransmitted by broadcast waves, and displays video information of aplurality of programs received on a single screen of the display 32 atthe same time every hour on the hour, so that the viewer can check theprogram contents of channels that can be received at the time of day.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in lightof the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of theinvention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explainthe principles of the invention and its practical application to enableone skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodimentsand with various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be definedby the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents.

1. A broadcast receiver, intended for use as an integral unit with anin-car navigation system, comprising; a GPS reception section whichreceives a GPS signal; a broadcast wave receiver which receivesbroadcast waves and demodulates information in the broadcast waves; adisplay; and a control circuit which controls the display to displayvideo information; wherein: the control circuit uses time informationfrom the GPS signal to determine a current time of the day; the controlcircuit compares the current time of day to a predetermined time of day;and when the comparison indicates that the predetermined time of day isthe current time of day, the control circuit controls the display toerase video information displayed in a normal use mode and to display aplurality of still pictures, each of which is prepared from programinformation demodulated from the broadcast waves of channels received atthe predetermined time of day in a region where the broadcast receiveris being used.
 2. A method of displaying information, received by abroadcast receiver which is intended for use as an integral unit with anin-car navigation system, the method comprising: receiving a GPS signal;determining a current time of day from the GPS signal; comparing thecurrent time of day to a predetermined time of day; and when thecomparison indicates that the predetermined time of day is the currenttime of day, controlling a display by: erasing video informationdisplayed in a normal use mode; preparing a plurality of still picturesfrom program information demodulated from broadcast waves of channelsreceived at the predetermined time of day in a region where thebroadcast receiver is being used; and displaying the plurality of stillpictures.